Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began talks Thursday to form a new Israeli government, which will have to mend shattered ties with key ally Washington, while tackling pressing social and security issues.

Republicans were the first US politicians to publicly congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday for winning Israel's closely-watched elections, weeks after the prime minister controversially addressed Congress at their invitation.

Voting polls opened today, AFP correspondents said, for unpredictable elections to determine whether Israelis still want incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as leader, or will seek change after six years.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a final bid to shore up right-wing support ahead of a knife-edge vote on tomorrow, said he would not permit a Palestinian state to be created under his watch if he is re-elected.

Three days ahead of Israel's general election, there was growing uncertainty Saturday over who will win the premiership, with polls showing incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu trailing his centre-left rivals.

Israel's parliament voted on Monday to dissolve itself in preparation for an early general election on March 17, after a crisis set in motion by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of two ministers.